This may seem a little corny to some and for that I applogize, but I want to take the opportunity to thank the members of these forums and especially Saeed.

For the past six years I've visited these discussions almost daily, learning much and contributing a little, but most of all being inspired to pursue my passion. After 30 years of working on guns as a hobby, two years ago I started a part-time business providing simple machining service and gunsmithing. Without advertising in any way other than word of mouth I've managed to fill every free minute of my time with satisfying work.

Well, two weeks ago I was laid off from my job with corporate America--despite the press releases the jobs are going to China. I began preparing for this possibility in ernest a little over a year ago by building a 1,000 square foot shop next to my home and outfitting it with necessary equipment (just ask Lawndart about our unintentional bidding wars on Ebay).

This has allowed me to turn what was part-time into a full-time business. I figure in six months or so I'll know for sure whether or not I can really make a go of it or not.

Again, I want to thank the members here for their willingness to share information which in-turn inspired me to pursue my passion. I extend an open invitation to any and all members who happen to be in the Albuquerque area to stop by for a visit.

Thank you, and God Bless.

best of luck to you John!!!

What machining and other services do you offer?

A tougher row to hoe, certainly, but I wish you all the best. Success often develops at the nexus of passion and necessity. I can say from experience that if you do solid work, for fair prices, with a predictable turnaround, and freely admit when a job doesn't fit your experience or tooling---you'll have more work than one man can handle.

Don't be shy, let us all know what services and specialties you offer. Boards like this are (for good and bad) the ultimate word of mouth...

good luck - use your immagination

Been there and been done by that. Ain't no fun! Man ... this will be a difficult time.

Very best of good luck to you. Hope things work out ... some times they do. Some folks get to laugh at the situation in the end. Hope that will be your good fortune.

John, if you can manage to do quality work while communicating with your clients and run it as a business you'll be head and shoulders above 90% of the gunsmiths in the business.


Are you opening a full service gunsmithing shop?

If you put up a web site, or have a list of services, let us know.

Best of luck.

To answer a few questions:

I'm doing stock refinshing to include restoring or redoing checkering; rebluing--both hot salts and rust, although I've not a lot of experience yet with the rust bluing. Changing LOP and working over triggers. Reshaping stocks and adding crossbolts and ebony if that's what the folks want.

Have built several "custom" rifles for folks and so far all are happy with them.

I'm rebarreling and restocking rifles, both wood and plastic. Custom barrel contours are not a problem.

I'm repaiing lots of broken guns, especially shotguns as not many of the other local gunsmiths touch them.

I do a lot of simple things to pistols and revolvers but none of the trick sutff--just sights, barrels, replacing worn parts--simple stuff.

I also handle transfers for folks. I don't sell guns but if I see a good deal I think I can make a buck on I'll go for it.

Machining service: Just about whatever simple machining folks need. I've made some simple parts for machines and I've TIG welded up some broken aluminum car parts. Esentally, I'll do just about anything I believe I can do.

Don't rebarrel double shotguns or double rifles. Don't carve stocks or do inlays. Haven't put any French stuff on my checkering patterns--just point patterns. Don't work on guns that are junk--guy brought me an RG a couple months back and he was real disapointed I wouldn't work on it. I will rebarrel an A-bolt but won't do it unless I have a signed hold-harmless waiver from the owner.

I'm not good at giving estimates over the phone--I think I scare folks away.

I haven't yet mastered welding bolt handles but I easily shape them once they're welded.

Need to learn how to make a stock from a blank--have copied all of Mr. Weibe's posts and study them every night before I go to sleep.

BATF says I need to get better at filling out their paperwork.

Very good for you.

I owned a small business for about 7 years when I was younger and have owned a business doing custom woodworking for the last 5 years, though I have opted not to pursue it in a profitable manner, so I am back in school and working part time as well.

Not much is more rewarding than owning your own shop, not much can be more frustrating as well, but it sounds like you have taken the long aproach and have managed to build up a quality customer base that should hopefuly allow you to pursue it with minimal compromise on your part.

John, I wish you well with the new business.

Woody

Speaking of a RG, I had a guy bring me a RG pistol, dont remember the model. I think it was a 38. It had a craked frame. Like some one used it for a hammer. What a piece of crap. He wanted to know if I could fix it. I told him throw it in the nearest lake. He gave it to me, I disassembled it, chucked the frame, kept the rest for parts.

I've been a contractor, self employed, fix every thing person for 20 yrs. There is one thing I know, word of mouth will get you far in business and there will always be that one person you just cant please.

Good luck to you.

John, I sent you a PM.

John,

Good luck!!! I received your email too late to stop by when I headed south about a month ago. Maybe next time we are in the area I"ll try to find your shop.

John,

In the late 1990's I had to give up a good paying job as an emergency and critical care physician due to health issues.

After I had gone through all my savings, I drove out to Idaho without much more than chump change. I opened a little clinic in a sleepy little town. It has been a hard row to hoe at times, but I'm much happier than I was when the paychecks were a lot bigger.

Now that medicne in general is going down the toilet, I'm starting an ammunition manufacturing business. Point is, you will do well, and will be happy.

Treat it as a business. It is hard to discipline yourself to do this, but don't waste time on the phone or in person with tire kickers and/or chiselers.

Start by concentrating on your core skills, and then expand from there.

Good luck,

LD

John,
Sorry about losing your job, and congrats on having a backup plan well underway.

A website is a good way to market your services. I'd be happy to point you in the right direction in terms of website building software and hosting if you need any help. Feel free to PM me, but the basics are; take lots of pictures of your work and start writing some marketing blurbs about what you do. Building the website is much easier than most people think....once you have the content.

Hosting (your website on a Hosting company's server) is cheap $5-6/month.

If you use Word and Excel, you can put together a nice advertising site. Or you can barter the build for some smithing I work cheap.

Thank you all for the encouragement.

I just remembered one other thing I won't do: I won't drill and tap a pristine commercial Mauser in order to put aluminum see-thru rings on it (I think the guy will come back with something else even though I disapointed him).

quote:

Toomany Tools: I just remembered one other thing I won't do: I won't drill and tap a pristine commercial Mauser

BRAVO! We're on the same page.

John,

I hope you and Lawndart do well in your new careers. Let us know about websites, etc.

thanks...jim

Good luck! I hope your enterprise is rewarding in every way!

John

Got any photos of some of the custom rifles you have built to show us.

I know you were working on a custom Winchester big bore. wouldn't mind seeing some photos of it.

John,

I'm in the same boat as you and Lawndart.

I have been a hobbiest and tinkerer for years and then went to school at Lassen. I've been fortunate to have had some of the finest gunmakers as my mentors, many of whom post or posted on this very forum.

Long story short I applied for my FFL earlier this year with the intention of doing gunwork part-time. Well, circumstances change and now I'm full-time into gunmaking.

I'm off to a very good start but I do need to remember to turn off my phone until after 6 pm, lol.

Good luck to us all,

-Mike

I'll see you in October, I got the missus thinking I am one H-E-double-toothpicks of a nice guy, I'm taking her to the Balloon Festival on the Electra Glide. Boise to Salt Lake, SLC to the Four Corners, and 4C to Alb.

Rich
DRSS

Rich,

I look forward to the visit!

Good luck John.

John, best of luck to you in this venture. I did not see this post earlier or I would have replied sooner. You will do well.